HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-14 Proclamation (2)WHEREAS, Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. The following year, June 28, 1970, people
gathered just outside the Stonewall Inn for the Christopher Street Gay UberOttiirii Pay March, now recognized
as the first Pride Parade; and
WHEREAS, Pride Month is a celebration of survival and a call to action seeking equal justice and equal opportunity for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgerider, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Americans; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor strives to be a community that is welcoming and supportive of all of its members regardless
of race, gender, age, gender identity, or sexual oriontation; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor upholds the legal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Mainers passed In 2006, as
one of only twenty-two states in the Nation to include protections for discrimination based on sexual orientation,
gender Identity, and gender expression in employment, housing, education, credit and public accommodations;
and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor understands that even with legal protections, discrimination continues. According to the
Trevor Projects 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, more than 800/6 of LGBTQ+ youth
stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful, and only I in 3 youth found their home to be
LGBTO-affirming; and
WHEREAS, This survey reveals that Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all of
the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected
by anyone with whom they lived. However, more than 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth under the age
of 18 said that none of the people they lived with respected their pronouns; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor encourages our citizens to read the findings of the Trevor Project's Survey and encourages
LGBTO+ youth in crisis to contact the Trevor Project's trained crisis counselors, available 24/7 at 1-866-488-
7386, via chat at ThgTLqyg_P_roIect.org/HeIo, or by texting START to 678678; and
WHEREAS, Pride Month is an opportunity tD celebrate and be supportive of the hard work of the thriving Bangor LGBTQ+
community in fighting for their rights and acceptance, and acknowledge the ongoing work of the citizens of
Bangor to advocate for equal rights; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 260, Bangor Pride Festival's main event is the Reverse Pride Parade, a stationary parade,
where folks can drive or take the trolley through a standing exhibit of parade floats at the Hollywood Casino
Racetrack. More events can be found at Health Equity Alliance's Facebook page; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, July r, there Wit be a memorial to remember Charlie Howard, a 23 year old gay man
murdered for his sexuality In 1984, spurring citizens of the City of Bangor to hold vigils, memorials, and protests
in his memory. Bom In 1961, this year Charlie Howard would have turned 60 years old had he lived; and
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor thanks the Health Equity Afliance, and all their volunteers and sponsors In the community
for working Incredibly hard to make Bangor Pride 2021 representative, engaging, and affirming, and for their
distribution of the Progress Pride Flags throughout the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Daniel J. Tremble, Mayor of the City of Bangor, on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of
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Given this the 141h day of June, 2021.
I J. Tremble, Mayot